'Downton Abbey,' season five: The earl offers an early look - NY Daily News 'Downton Abbey,' season five: The earl offers an early look 'Downton Abbey,' season five: The earl offers an early look BY MARIANNE GARVEY, BRIAN NIEMIETZ AND OLI COLEMAN Saturday, December 13, 2014, 2:00 AM "Downton Abbey's" Hugh Bonneville with Joanna David (c.) and Michelle Dockery, who plays Lady Mary (Nick Briggs/Carnival Film & Television) BY MARIANNE GARVEY, BRIAN NIEMIETZ AND OLI COLEMAN Saturday, December 13, 2014, 2:00 AM Until the massive success of “Downton Abbey,” Hugh Bonneville, who plays Robert Crawley, was best known to American audiences as the bumbling Bernie in “Notting Hill” or Iris Murdoch’s young husband in “Iris.” But now he’s the earl of Grantham in the hit Brit series on PBS.

Asked to explain the show’s massive global success, the 51-year-old actor said: “I think it’s one of those very rare things where writing, casting, production values and timing all arrive at the same moment. Also, no one can quite define (the show). It’s not a soap, but it is a soap. It’s not a social historical document, yet it does touch into history.” He also gave Confidenti@l a sneak preview of the fifth season, which premieres on Jan. 4. “We’re in 1924 now,” he said. “The embers of romance from Violet’s past emerge, which I think will touch the hearts of a lot of people. As Lady Mary says, ‘So Granny does have a past.’ For Robert and Cora, there are tensions over the horizon in the form of a dashing art historian played by Richard E. Grant. When a dashing artist comes to Downton, you need to lock up your etchings.” Bonneville said that Lady Mary (his character’s daughter) has suitors “circling like vultures,” and she’s deciding which one is she going to throw bits of flesh to.

“There’s the usual skulduggery from Thomas and a very touching and painful storyline for him, and the fallout from what happened with Anna from the last season continues. So more of the same, with plenty of laughs and sobs along the way,” he said. Bonneville will also be popping up on the big screen in the new year. He stars with Nicole Kidman in “Paddington,” due in theaters in January. Hugh Bonneville - IMDb IMDb View Resume | Official Photos » Hugh Bonneville was born on November 10, 1963 in Paddington, London, England as Hugh Richard Bonneville Williams. He is an actor, known for Downton Abbey (2010), Iris (2001) and Notting Hill (1999). He has been married to Lucinda Williams since November 4, 1998. They have one child.

See full bio » Born: a list of 22 people created 31 Dec 2013 a list of 45 people created 10 Sep 2014 a list of 40 people created 11 months ago a list of 35 people created 8 months ago a list of 40 people created 2 months ago Do you have a demo reel? Add it to your IMDbPage How much of Hugh Bonneville's work have you seen? User Polls Nominated for 1 Golden Globe. Another 5 wins & 21 nominations. See more awards » Known For Downton Abbey Robert Crawley, Earl of Grantham (2010-2015) 2016 Walliams & Friend (TV Series) Various 2016 Our Ex-Wife (TV Series) Narrator 2015-2016 Sofia the First (TV Series) Book Narrator 2016 The Hollow Crown (TV Series) Humphrey, Duke of Gloucester - Henry VI Part 1 (2016) ...

Humphrey, Duke of Gloucester 2015-2016 Galavant (TV Series) 2015 Silent Hours (TV Series) Commander William Calthorpe 2015 Stick Man (TV Short) Santa (voice) 2013 Da Vinci's Demons (TV Series) Duke of Milan 2012 Mr. Stink (TV Movie) Mr. Stink 2012 Getting On (TV Series) Philip Moore 2010 Legally Mad (TV Movie) Gordon Hamm 2005 The Rotters' Club (TV Series) Voice of Adult Ben 2003 Hear the Silence (TV Movie) Dr.

Andrew Wakefield 2003 Thursday the 12th (TV Movie) Brin Hopper 2002 Tipping the Velvet (TV Mini-Series) Ralph Banner 2002 Midsomer Murders (TV Series) Hugh Barton 2002 The Biographer (TV Movie) Eric 2002 The Gathering Storm (TV Movie) Ivo Pettifer 1999 Murder Most Horrid (TV Series) Inspector Dawson 1998 The Scold's Bridle (TV Series) Tim Duggan - Episode #1.1 (1998) ...

Tim Duggan 1998 Mosley (TV Series) 1997 See You Friday (TV Series) Daniel 1997 Holding the Baby (TV Series) Gordon Muir (II) (Series 2) (1998) 1996 Bugs (TV Series) 1994 Between the Lines (TV Series) Henry Oakes 1994 Mystery!: Cadfael (TV Series) Daniel Aurifaber 1994 Peak Practice (TV Series) Dominic Kent 1993 Stalag Luft (TV Movie) Sqdn. Ldr. Barton (as Richard Bonneville) - Episode #2.6 (1993) ... Captain (as Richard Bonneville) 1991 Dodgem (TV Series) - Episode #1.1 (1991) ... Rick Bayne (as Richard Bonneville) 1990 Chancer (TV Series) - Weapons from the Wall (1990) ... Jas (as Richard Bonneville) Hide - Comedy Gold (2015) ...

(performer: "Lords of the Sea", "Togetherness (Reprise)" - uncredited) Hide 2014 Julie Walters: A Life on Screen (TV Movie documentary) (With Thanks) Hide 2016 Speeding Wars (TV Mini-Series documentary) Himself - Narrator 2016 National Television Awards (TV Special) Himself 2015-2016 Live!

with Kelly (TV Series) Himself - Guest / Himself 2013-2015 The View (TV Series) Himself / Himself - Downtown Abbey 2015 The Talk (TV Series) Himself 2014-2015 Good Morning America (TV Series) Himself - Guest 2015 All Change at Longleat (TV Mini-Series documentary) Himself - Narrator 2015 Animal Mums (TV Series documentary) Himself 2015 The Secret World of Lego (TV Movie documentary) Narrator (voice) 2015 Red Nose Day (TV Special) Himself 2015 BBC News 8pm Summary (TV Series short) Himself 2012-2015 The Hotel (TV Series documentary) Himself - Narrator 2015 Shakespeare Uncovered (TV Mini-Series documentary) Himself 2015 Timeshift (TV Series documentary) Himself - Narrator 2014 The Chew (TV Series) Himself - Downton Abbey - Old-Fashioned Holiday Favorites (2014) ...

Himself - Downton Abbey 2014 Today (TV Series) 2014 The Greatest Ever War Films (TV Movie documentary) Himself - Narrator (voice) 2014 TB: Return of the Plague (TV Movie documentary) Himself 2014 Top Gear (TV Series) Himself - Special Guest 2014 National Television Awards (TV Special) Himself - Presenter 2013 Doctor Who: The Doctors Revisited (TV Mini-Series documentary) Himself 2012 By Royal Appointment (TV Movie documentary) Himself - Narrator (voice) 2012 World's Most Dangerous Roads (TV Series documentary) Himself 2012 Charlie Rose (TV Series) Himself - Guest 2009-2012 Country House Rescue (TV Series) Himself - Narrator 2012 Just a Minute (TV Series) Himself 2012 National Television Awards (TV Special) Himself - Presenter 2011 Stephen Fry's 100 Greatest Gadgets (TV Movie documentary) Himself 2011 Doctor Who Confidential (TV Series documentary) Himself 2011 Elizabeth Taylor: A Tribute (TV Movie documentary)

 Himself - Narrator (voice) 2010-2011 The One Show (TV Series) Himself - Guest - 1970s (2010) ...

Himself - Narrator (voice) - 1960s (2010) ... Himself - Narrator (voice) - World War Two (2010) ... Himself - Narrator (voice) - 1930s (2010) ... Himself - Narrator (voice) - Edwardian (2010) ... Himself - Narrator (voice) 2010 Dispatches (TV Series documentary) Himself - Narrator - Luton (2009) ... Himself - Narrator (voice) - Clacton-on-Sea (2009) ... Himself - Narrator (voice) - Margate (2009) ... Himself - Narrator (voice) - Blackpool (2009) ...

Himself - Narrator (voice) 2008 Saturday Kitchen (TV Series) Himself 2007 Five Days: Making Five Days (Video documentary short) Himself / DSI Iain Barclay 2007 Why Birds Sing (TV Movie documentary) Himself - Narrator 2007 The Real Mr Pooter (TV Movie documentary) Himself 2002-2005 Richard & Judy (TV Series) Himself 2004 This Morning (TV Series) Himself 2002 Cinema 3 (TV Series) Himself 2001 A Look at Iris (Video documentary short) Himself 2015 Britain's Best Loved Sitcoms (TV Series documentary) Comedy Role Personal Details Other Works: He acted in William Shakespeare 's play, "The Two Gentlemen of Verona", in a Royal Shakespeare Company production at the Barbican Theatre in London, England with Hugh Bonneville , Barry Lynch , Sean Murray , Clare Holman , Constance Byrne , 'Josette Bushell-Mingo', Guy Henry , Richard Moore , Terence Wilton and Stuart J. Wolstenholme (...

See more » Publicity Listings: 1 Interview | 2 Articles | 3 Magazine Cover Photos | See more » Official Sites: Robert, Earl of Grantham - Downton Abbey (UK) Characters - ShareTV Robert, Earl of Grantham Hugh Bonneville (born November 10, 1963), born Hugh Richard Bonneville Williams, is an English stage, ... Character Bio Robert Crawley, Earl of Grantham, was born in 1869 at Downton Abbey. His parents are the late Earl of Grantham and The Dowager Countess of Grantham, Violet Crawley. He has a sister named Rosamund. Despite the family's relatively poor financial situation, Robert's education was very privileged and he was tutored from ages 7 to 13, before attending Eton and then Christ Church, Oxford, where he studied philosophy. To ensure the survival of the estate, Robert's father knew that Robert would have to marry a wealthy heiress who would bring a large dowry to the estate. At a young age, Robert married Cora Levinson, an American, and the only daughter of Isidore and Martha Levinson.

Isidore was an American millionaire, and when Cora married Robert, Robert's father insisted that she sign an entailment which legally combined the estate with Cora's fortune. Robert was forced into the marriage by his father, and Cora by hers. Robert's father wanted Robert to marry a rich girl; Isidore wanted Cora to marry into the English aristocracy. He has later said that he was ashamed of his motives for pursuing Cora. After about a year of marriage, however, Robert truly fell in love with Cora and they eventually had three daughters: Mary, Edith, and Sybil. Because of the entail, as they had no sons, Robert's heir was the closest male relative, his cousin James. However, when James and his only son Patrick both died in the sinking of the Titanic, Robert's heir became his third cousin once removed, Matthew Crawley, a young middle-class solicitor from Manchester setting the stage for him to inherit not only the Abbey and its estate, but also Cora's fortune. While Violet, Cora and Mary wish to contest the entail so that Cora's money, at least, will remain in the immediate family, Robert refuses even to countenance this possibility.

He sees it as his responsibility to preserve his heritage and ensure that Downton Abbey and the estate remain intact, even if the property and title will go into the hands of a stranger. He knows that it would be impossible to maintain Downton Abbey if Cora's fortune were separated from the estate. The earl served in the Second Boer War from 1899–1902 where John Bates, later to be his valet, was his batman. He is the Lord Lieutenant for Yorkshire and even though he wants to serve at the front during the Great War, he is made a Colonel of his old regiment. He is immensely proud of Downton as the place he grew up and takes his responsibility for the estate very seriously. Robert considers Downton's nurturing of him, and his nurture of the estate, to be like having a third parent and a fourth child. There are references in the series to Robert sitting as a Conservative member of the House of Lords, although this is only implied. He loves his daughters very much, but Robert has always longed for a son who would be a true heir to the estate. His wish almost became reality with Cora's surprise fourth pregnancy, but it ended in a miscarriage.

For a short time, feeling ignored by Cora, he became infatuated with a housemaid, Jane Moorsum (whose husband had been killed in the First World War), and they seemed on the verge of an affair, but came to their senses after a timely interruption by an oblivious Mr. Bates. To avoid further incidents, Jane decided to leave Downton. Out of kindness, Robert pulled some strings so that Jane's highly intelligent son Freddie could go to Ripon Grammar School, and he gave Jane the name and address of his man of business, to give Freddie a start in life. Although in some ways his character embodies the traditional values of the aristocracy, Robert does not shun all progress as he allows telephones and electricity to be installed at Downton and, after initial dismay and anger, gives his blessing to his daughter Sybil's marriage to family chauffeur Tom Branson. In Tom's own words, Robert is a good man and a decent employer. He is compassionate, friendly, intelligent, honourable and reasonable.

When Matthew and his mother Isobel arrive at Downton, the family are initially wary of them, because they are middle class and not aristocrats, and the family resents that the estate is to pass to Matthew. Robert is the only one who welcomes them without reservation, and he becomes friends with Isobel and later becomes a surrogate father to Matthew. He is enthusiastic about the idea of Mary marrying Matthew, thus keeping the estate and fortune in his immediate family, and can't understand when they fall out with each other at the end of series one. He dislikes Sir Richard Carlisle because of his rude and selfish behaviour, and is pleased when Mary decides to end her engagement to him. Robert also forgives Mary when he learns of her indiscretion with Kemal Pamuk, telling her that she is "not the only Crawley to have made a mistake". He is very protective of his family and servants, and in many cases treats the servants almost like family members. He is loyal, going to great lengths to retain the slightly disabled John Bates as his valet. He is respectful to Mr. Lang, who serves as his valet during the First World War, although Lang is suffering from shell-shock and proves unfit to work.

When William Mason, a footman, is given a white feather of cowardice by some women from the village during the First World War, Robert angrily throws them out of his house. When William is called up to fight, Robert does his best to keep him out of danger by getting him appointed as Matthew's batman. He also pays for Mrs. Patmore's eye surgery when she starts to go blind. When Thomas, then his valet, is caught kissing Jimmy, the new footman, and is subsequently pressured to leave Downton, Robert asserts his authority over the staff politics and promotes him to under-butler. In addition, after Alfred reports Thomas's "indecent assault" to the police and they come round to investigate, Robert convinces Alfred to recant his story, thus protecting Thomas from an almost certain prison sentence and public disgrace. Despite these virtues, Robert's adherence to tradition has let him down in other ways. Although he eventually comes to accept Branson as part of the family, their initial exchanges after Sybil's revelation are fraught with thinly-veiled insults and disdain; Branson accuses his former employer of believing his kind "have the monopoly of honour". Robert has little patience for Sybil's aspirations to participate in politics.

His attitudes also occasionally clash with that of the more progressive and pragmatic Cora; while she becomes highly active during the period in which Downton acts as a convalescent home for injured First World War veterans, Robert is largely reduced to a figurehead. In series 3, it is revealed that he lost the lion's share of Cora's fortune through poor investments during the war, and has financially crippled Downton to the point of bankruptcy; it is only through the timely intervention of Matthew that the Crawley family is allowed to remain on the estate. Despite this, Matthew becomes concerned that Robert is mismanaging the property, which leads to tension between them; Matthew and Tom's ideas for radical sweeping changes cause Robert to oppose many decisions. He suggests that any changes begin slowly and they instead use investment to raise their capital. Matthew abhors this prospect, as Robert's interest in investment nearly brought Downton to ruin, and any profits raised would merely be used prop up the old system until the money ran out again. However, with Robert's exchanges with Matthew becoming increasingly bitter, particularly as most of the family acknowledge that Matthew is probably right, it is Tom who manages to persuade Robert to think differently.

By the end of the series, Robert accepts the vision for the future, combining his knowledge of the estate, Matthew's background in law and business, and Tom's practical experience. The future of Downton is once again thrown into turmoil in Series 4 with the death of Matthew at the end of the second Christmas Special. Although the birth of his son George means there is now a direct heir, Matthew's death and apparent lack of a will mean that death duties will have to be paid on the half of the estate that Matthew owned, and Lady Mary now owns only a small portion of the estate, meaning she has very little control over how Downton is run. Mary herself has done nothing but grieve since Matthew died, and Robert is against her doing anything other than recover. This once again causes tension between himself and Branson (though he has accepted Branson as part of the family), who thinks that Mary should have a say in the running of the estate. Branson also disagrees with Robert about how the death duties should be paid off. After Mary partially recovers from her grief, a letter is discovered that can be interpreted to be Matthew's will after all, in which he leaves his entire half of the estate to Mary.

Mary now prepares to take a hand in the running of the estate, something that is shown to irritate Robert, particularly as she is learning about the estate from Branson, and has been persuaded to see his side of the argument. Different sources have identified Robert as either the 7th or 5th Earl of Grantham. Episode Screenshots Downton Abbey: Earl of Grantham has secret bedroom tryst with his new maid | Daily Mail Online comments Things are about to get steamy at the Grantham country house in Downton Abbey. Viewers will see the Earl of Grantham commit the ultimate betrayal as he shares a steamy kiss with his maid, Jane, on Sunday night. The second series of the popular period drama will go out with a bang as fans will finally see if Robert Crawley - played by Hugh Bonneville - decides to continue their tryst in the bedroom.

Passionate: The Earl Robert Crawley finds himself in a steamy clinch with his maid Jane on this Sunday's episode of Downton Abbey Last week the Earl was seen kissing Jane - played by Clare Calbraith - for the first time before quickly apologising, but as his wife Cora lays ill it seems he just can't help himself in the season finale. 'For Lord Grantham to not only cheat on his wife, but with somebody from a lower social class, would be the ultimate betrayal,' said a show insider. But this won't be the end of the forbidden love affair as ITV bosses revealed yesterday that Downton Abbey will be returning for a third series. Ultimate betrayal: The Earl kissed his maid in last week's episode but quickly apologised as his wife Cora laid on her sick bed Hardcore fans will have to wait until next Autumn to get their dose as filming will begin early next year. Main characters such as Bonneville and his onscreen mother, Dame Maggie Smith, have reportedly negotiated pay rises to stay with the successful award-winning drama.

Award winning: Hugh Bonneville plays the head of the Crawley family in the period drama that has proved to be a huge hit Julian Fellowes, who penned the script said: 'I am extremely grateful. I have grown very fond of my Downton family and I certainly do not want to say goodbye to them quite yet.' The highly-anticipated third series will see the famous family tackle the twenties. ITV’s Head of Drama Commissioning, Laura Mackie, is also pleased that the series will be returning: 'We’re delighted to be bringing Downton Abbey back for a third series, as we follow the inhabitants as they move into the roaring twenties. We'll be back: ITV bosses have confirmed that Downton Abey will return for a third series after stars such as Dame Maggie Smith negotiated a pay rise 'It’s rare to find a drama that the audience connects with so strongly and we’re extremely proud to have commissioned such a phenomenon.' But for those who feel they just cannot wait until next year don't actually have to wait too long as next month a Downton Christmas special featuring Coronation Street star, Nigel Havers, will be screened.

Phenomenon: The next installment will see the characters tackle the roaring twenties Masterpiece | Downton Abbey | PBS From the socialites to the servants, meet the residents and staff of Downton Abbey and learn about the actors who portray them. Violet, Dowager Countess of Grantham The mother of Robert, Earl of Grantham, Violet is proud, loyal to her son and immensely insufferable to her American daughter-in-law Cora, whom she regards as an interloper, a living compromise the family has had to make. Maggie Smith With no history of acting in the family, Maggie Smith enrolled in drama school at age sixteen. Following performances in student revues and in cabaret, she joined London's Old Vic Theater alongside Laurence Olivier before moving on to London's National Theatre. No stranger to Masterpiece, Maggie Smith has appeared in such productions as David Copperfield , Memento Mori, All for Love, and All the King's Men . She has two sons, also actors, Toby Stephens and Chris Larkin, both with Masterpiece credits of their own. Now with an astonishing array of awards to her name including two Oscar awards, Smith is renowned for her sense of humor.

As Downton Abbey creator Julian Fellowes explains, "Maggie Smith has a unique sense of comedy, based on a somewhat ironic view of real life, making it both funnier and more sad. But perhaps her greatest ability, or at least the one that most intrigues me, is how she can convey deep and powerful emotion without a trace of sentimentality." As for her role as Violet, the Dowager Countess, Maggie Smith remarks, "It is very satisfying to play a character such as Violet...Julian is good at those sorts of ladies. This is the third old lady I've played for him, so I am getting the hang of it now," Smith laughs. Cora, Countess of Grantham Cora is the beautiful daughter of Isidore Levinson, a dry goods multi millionaire from Cincinnati. She arrived in England with her mother in 1888 at the age of 20, and was engaged to Robert by the end of her first season. Elizabeth McGovern Born in Evanston, Illinois, Elizabeth McGovern moved to Los Angeles when she was 10 years old and soon began acting in school plays.

She went on to study at The Juilliard School in New York City and while there was offered a part in her first film, Ordinary People, directed by Robert Redford. The following year she earned an Academy Award nomination for her role in Ragtime. In 1984, she starred with Robert De Niro and James Woods in the cult gangster movie Once Upon A Time In America and later opposite Mickey Rourke in Johnny Handsome. In a small way, McGovern's character, Cora, reflects her own journey. "It's great to play a role that in some way mirrors my life, because I am an American who has spent nearly two decades raising English children and making the cultural adjustments, so in that way I can definitely relate to the part and have respect for what I know that entails, from the experience I have had myself." McGovern is also a singer-songwriter and has just recorded her second album with her band Sadie and the Hotheads. She lives in London with her husband director/producer Simon Curtis and their two children. Robert, Earl of Grantham Robert, Earl of Grantham, is married to Cora, an American heiress, whose money helped put Downton Abbey back on its feet.

The father of three, Mary, Edith and Sybil, Robert has an uncomplicated life until a succession crisis and a surprising clause in his marriage contract cause upheaval in his family and on the estate. Hugh Bonneville Hugh Bonneville launched his acting career with London's National Youth Theatre, while simultaneously studying theology at Cambridge University. He also trained at the Webber Douglas Academy of Dramatic Art in London. A veteran Masterpiece actor, he has appeared in Miss Austen Regrets , Mansfield Park , Daniel Deronda , Madame Bovary and The Cazalets among others. Bonneville may also be recognized for his appearance opposite Kate Winslet in Iris. Bonneville's frequent costar in Downton Abbey was "Pharaoh" the estate family dog, and Bonneville developed quite a bond with the yellow Labrador, Roly. "During filming I kept finding bits of sausage in my pockets, reminders of various days when I'd tried to lure Roly into pretending to be my constant, devoted companion," Bonneville said. Bonneville calls writer/director Julian Fellowes, "the most humane of writers..." And he speaks of the characters in Downton Abbey as being three-dimensional.

"They aren't goodies, or baddies; they are like all of us — flawed." Lady Rosamund Painswick Lady Rosamund is Robert's only sibling. She did not marry a great aristocrat, but the late Marmaduke Painswick, a banker, was immensely rich, so she has a good deal of freedom. She is devoted to Robert, but she feels it her duty to speak her mind on every possible occasion. Her interference in her familial decisions has a potentially disastrous result. Samantha Bond Known as Miss Moneypenny, a role she played in several James Bond movies, British actress Samantha Bond trained at England's Bristol Old Vic Theatre School. A member of the Royal Shakespeare Company, she has numerous stage credits to her name including a starring role opposite Judi Dench in the award-winning Amy's View, and the part of Lady Macbeth opposite Sharpe star Sean Bean. Bond's relationship with Masterpiece dates back to the early 1980s with productions such as Rumpole of the Bailey and A Murder is Announced. Bond is married to actor Alexander Hanson and the couple lives in London with their two children.

Lady Mary Crawley, The Oldest Daughter Clever, good looking and cold, Mary must come to grips with the notion that the life she imagined for herself may not come to her as easily as she once suspected. Yet, as the oldest daughter, Mary continues to work to secure a suitable husband. Michelle Dockery A native of Essex, England, Michelle Dockery wasn't born into the high life she so often portrays on screen and stage. While training at the Finch Stage School in the United Kingdom, she worked in a variety of jobs, from waitress to a role in the advertising department of The Times of London. After graduating from England's Guildhall School of Music & Drama in 2004, Dockery spent 14 months at London's National Theatre performing lesser roles before she landed her breakthrough role as Eliza Doolittle in Peter Hall's production of Pygmalion at The Old Vic, also in London. Dockery also loves to sing and while filming Downton Abbey, she discovered that she and her on-screen mother, Elizabeth McGovern, shared a passion for music. This led to recording some tracks together and several festival appearances with McGovern's band Sadie and the Hotheads.

Dockery's other television credits include Terry Pratchett's The Hogfather, the British trilogy Red Riding, Masterpiece's Return to Cranford and The Turn of the Screw. Next year she will appear alongside Cate Blanchett in the film Hanna. Lady Edith Crawley, The Second Daughter Resentful of her sister Mary, Edith is good looking and less sought after, but no less ambitious. She is in a half-permanent rage that the interests of her beautiful sister are always placed above hers in any family plan. Laura Carmichael Newcomer Laura Carmichael was working as a receptionist in a doctor's office and about to go on tour to Dubai with a production of Twelfth Night when she got a call to read for the part of Lady Edith, her first television role. She couldn't believe it when she landed the part and her parents were even more surprised. "I couldn't have asked for a better first job in any way!" Despite the on-screen animosity between Lady Edith and her two sisters, Laura became very close to Michelle Dockery (Lady Mary) and Jessica Brown-Findlay (Lady Sybil) during filming.

"Michelle, Jessica and I became pretty inseparable on set and as most of our scenes were together, we ended up spending our spare time watching DVDs in someone's trailer," Carmichael said. Lady Sybil Crawley, The Youngest Daughter The family rebel, Lady Sybil Crawley is fiercely political and generally angered by injustice everywhere. Sybil exasperates both parents. She will go through the motions when it comes to the responsibilities of high society, but her true goals in life are well beyond what her parents consider the proper field. Jessica Brown-Findlay Since nursery school, Jessica Brown-Findlay aspired to be a famous ballerina. After training for years, she was asked at age 15 to dance with the Kirov Ballet at the Royal Opera House in London for a summer season. Her dreams were shattered when a botched ankle operation ended her dancing career. Changing tracks, she got into a few acting classes and was spotted almost immediately by a casting agent. The Downton Abbey character Lady Sybil Crawley is Jessica Brown-Findlay's second foray into television and her first Masterpiece role. Lady Sybil, Brown-Findlay explains is very forward thinking.

"She's at that age where she's learning who she is and consequently she's discovering this at a time when women were becoming more vocal and less subservient." Isobel Crawley Isobel is Matthew's widowed mother. She is the daughter of a doctor (her husband studied under her father) and she comes from the professional middle class. She embodies an entirely different set of values than those of the current Downton Abbey inhabitants, being far better educated than either Violet or Cora. Before long, she is in near constant confrontations with Violet. Isobel is intensely proud of her son. Penelope Wilton Born in England to a former actress and businessman father, Penelope Wilton moved to London when she was young and attended the Drama Centre. Acting since the early 1970s, her first love was the stage. Among the many honors for her stage work, Wilton has twice won the London Critics' Circle Award for Best Actress: in 1981 for Much Ado About Nothing and in 1993 for The Deep Blue Sea. Wilton has appeared in several Masterpiece productions including Country Matters, The Tale of Beatrix Potter, Wives and Daughters and Lucky Jim .

Other notable film and television projects include The Borrowers, Iris, Calendar Girls, Shaun of the Dead, Match Point and Doctor Who. Wilton was in part attracted to Downton Abbey by the opportunity to work with a personal heroine. "One of the reasons I did [Downton Abbey] was to work with Maggie Smith", Wilton said. "As a younger actress, (only slightly younger than Maggie), the person I admired more than anyone else on stage and in film was Maggie Smith, and I saw her in everything she did at The National Theatre. I wished I could be like her and now it's like working with a heroine and one doesn't have many of those when you grow older." Matthew Crawley Matthew Crawley is a third cousin, once removed, of Lord Grantham. A practicing attorney, Matthew now finds himself heir to a large estate and is invited to move there. He eventually agrees, but only if he can continue to work. Cora is partly infuriated by this interloper and partly determined that he will marry one of her daughters. Dan Stevens Dan Stevens studied theater at the London based National Youth Theater and then English literature at the University of Cambridge where he was a member of the amateur theatrical club, The Footlights.

Since graduating, Stevens has not seen his acting career slow down, though he did take time out to become a husband and a father. While filming Downton Abbey, Stevens recalls, "My wife and 6 month old visited the set, which was fun. Everyone loves a baby on set except for the sound department!" Stevens is familiar to Masterpiece fans for his role as Edward Ferrars in Sense & Sensibility . He was also seen in the Masterpiece production of Dracula . Mr. Carson, The Butler Carson is in charge of the pantry, wine cellar and dining room, and the male staff report to him. Carson has worked at Downton Abbey since he was a boy. He is endlessly nostalgic for the way things were, and consequently, he more or less becomes an agent for the Dowager Countess. His instinct is to support Lady Mary, whom he genuinely loves as a surrogate daughter. Jim Carter Character actor Jim Carter has been acting for over 30 years. His Masterpiece credits include Midsomer Murders, The Way We Live Now , The Wind in the Willows , The Secret Life of Mrs. Beeton , Cranford and Return to Cranford among others.

His best-known roles include Fox in The Madness of King George and Ralph Bashford in Shakespeare in Love. Carter is married to Imelda Staunton, who has also appeared in numerous Masterpiece productions. Mrs. Hughes, Housekeeper Responsible for the house and its appearance, Mrs. Hughes is also in charge of the female servants. There are three people in Downton who all believe they are head of it — Mr. Carson, Mrs. Patmore and Mrs. Hughes. Mrs. Hughes is probably right. She is unsentimental but moral and decent. Phyllis Logan Phyllis Logan hails from a small town in Scotland, and is a graduate of the Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama. Her big break came when she was cast as the lead in the film Another Time, Another Place, a role for which Logan won numerous awards. With a substantive list of film and television credits to her name including Secrets and Lies, Shooting Fish and Silent Witness, Logan has appeared in the Masterpiece productions And a Nightingale Sang and All the King's Men .

Of her Downton Abbey character, Logan says, "She can appear austere and firm but she has a bit of a heart — she's not a complete old bag!" John Bates, Lord Grantham's Valet An ex-soldier, John Bates knew Robert during the Boer War. He arrives at Downton Abbey to take the position of valet, but Bates was wounded in the war and it has left him lame, which makes him both defensive and fiercely loyal to Robert for giving him another chance. Brendan Coyle Born to a Scottish mother and Irish father, David Coyle (Brendan is his stage name) lived in Dublin and London during his youth. With no thought of an acting career, Coyle worked in his dad's butcher shop after leaving school. It wasn't until his father died that he sought a change. Inspired by a Shakespeare production that he'd seen in school, Coyle contacted an Irish aunt who he knew ran a theater company and was soon enrolled in drama school in Dublin. Coyle has since been seen in many television dramas including North and South, Lark Rise to Candleford and on Masterpiece in Prime Suspect 7: The Final Act and Jericho .

Downton Abbey creator Julian Fellowes knew Coyle would be perfect for the part. "I wrote John Bates for Brendan. I knew he had the capacity to suggest a character's bitter and painful past without doing much to indicate it," Fellowes said. "Above all, he never asks for sympathy as an actor, and consequently he gets it. My wife Emma had the idea of Bates being lame and I saw at once that this would enhance the character because it would make him more vulnerable and yet give him even more reason to reject sympathy." O'Brien, Lady's Maid O'Brien is a watchful, vengeful, malign spinster. She has sacrificed all thoughts of family and hearth to advance in her profession and now she is lady's maid to a countess, in a great house, which should make her happy. But it does not, because nothing will. She may seem to flatter Lady Grantham or Lady Mary or any of them, but ultimately she will always follow her own interest. Siobhan Finneran Siobhan Finneran made her acting debut in 1986 in the comedy film Rita, Sue and Bob Too!

She's appeared in a number of British television series, including Coronation Street, Dalziel and Pascoe and Peak Practice among others. She has also appeared in the Masterpiece production The Amazing Mrs. Pritchard . Finneran's role as O'Brien, Lady Cora's maid, is a departure from the comic characters for which she is best known. But like others in the cast, Finneran jumped at the chance to work with director Brian Percival and writer Julian Fellowes. "Brian Percival and Julian's brilliant script made me want to do it. I met with Brian and within ten minutes I remember thinking, 'I hope I get this job because I really want to work with him,'" Finneran said. Mrs. Patmore, The Cook Mrs. Patmore is in charge of the kitchen and kitchen staff. She does not accept that Mr. Carson has jurisdiction over her, nor, most of all, Mrs. Hughes, and religiously defends her rights and privileges, against all comers. Lesley Nicol Since graduating from London's Guildhall School of Music and Drama in the early 1970s, Lesley Nicol has been a fixture in the British drama and comedy scene.

But before her foray into film and television, she was a well known as a stage actress, appearing in numerous musicals and plays on the London stage. In Downton Abbey, Nicol plays the highly-strung cook Mrs. Patmore, "It was a dream job for me. Julian has given Mrs. Patmore some funny lines and also some lines that show her vulnerability," Nicol said. Thomas, First Footman Thomas thinks he is a fine man and that most of his fellow workers know nothing. An unsavory character, Thomas is always on the lookout to move up or out of Downton. His natural ally in the house is O'Brien. They are both entirely self-interested, but loyalty is probably beyond him. Rob James-Collier Rob James-Collier happened on his acting career quite by accident. One day, he filled in for an actor who had failed to show up for a film shoot directed by a friend. Intrigued by acting, he found a coach in the phone book and went to acting classes once a week after work. Within months he had an agent and his first role in the BBC's Down to Earth.

In Downton Abbey, Rob plays the unsavory character of the first footman, Thomas. "I had this idea in my head of how I would like to play Thomas, but when I turned up on the first day, Siobhan Finneran [O'Brien]...said less is more and let the lines speak for you, which was great advice. What could have been a pantomime villain is now hopefully quite understated but still hits the mark," James-Collier said. Anna, Head Housemaid The highest ranking of the lower female servants, Anna feels she may have missed her chance at marriage. She is clever and resourceful, a thoroughly sympathetic character. Joanne Froggatt Joanne Froggatt began her acting career as a member of a youth theater group. She has proven herself to be a versatile talent with numerous theater credits and diverse roles in British television shows such as The Bill, Coronation Street, Spooks and Life on Mars. Froggatt enjoyed her role as Anna, the head housemaid in Downton Abbey. "I love playing her; she's a really great character to work with — genuine, honest and soft hearted, but she sticks up for herself too," Froggat said.

Daisy, Scullery Maid Daisy is at the bottom of the heap. Daisy's mother was a true Victorian and Daisy is one of eleven children. Daisy is constantly in the firing line with Mrs. Patmore and develops feelings for Thomas. Sophie McShera Sophie McShera has been acting professionally since she was 12, when by chance she was sent along with four other girls to London to audition for The Goodbye Girl. She had spent the summer watching the American television show Saved By The Bell, which helped her pull off an American accent for her audition. Before she knew it, she was on stage at The Palladium in London and touring the country. Afterwards, she went on to perform in theater in the West End and had several small roles on British television. Downton Abbey is McShera's first period drama. "Downton Abbey is so different from what I've done before, I'm loving it. ... I did etiquette training and learned a lot about Edwardian society," McShera said. William, Second Footman William, the second footman, is a fool. Given this, Thomas has no hesitation in using William to do half his own work.

William has a crush on Daisy but she isn't interested in him as she is quite taken by Thomas. Thomas Howes In the span of just a few months, relative newcomer Thomas Howes has gone from appearing in the British children's television series Chucklevision to one of the most talked-about dramas, Downton Abbey. Although he lacked the extensive experience of his co-stars, Howes didn't shy away from making suggestions for a couple of his scenes — suggestions that writer Julian Fellowes incorporated into the script. A pianist, Howes also talked Fellowes into allowing him to provide background music in a number of scenes. Gwen, Housemaid Gwen is essentially an ambitious girl. She works as a housemaid because it is the only profession open to the daughter of a farm worker, but she has big plans. She is the natural rebel of the female staff, albeit in a quiet way, and this makes her a natural ally of Sybil. Rose Leslie After training at The London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art, Rose Leslie made her award-winning television debut in the BBC series New Town. Downton Abbey is her second television appearance. Leslie notes that her work in theater helped her prepare for the role of Gwen.

"I was in a theater production where I had to speak with a northern accent which lasted about six months. ...We toured the country with it last year. So together with rehearsals, I've been speaking with a northern accent for nearly a year. It's been really easy to just flip in and out of it because I am so used to speaking with it now," Leslie said. Branson Robert's new, spirited Irish chauffeur, whose political ideologies aspire to a more modern society. Driving Sybil to a political rally, he discovers they have a meeting of minds, and with his encouragement, Sybil puts her beliefs into practice. However, Sybil's newfound enthusiasm leads her into danger for which Branson later feels responsible. Allen Leech Irish actor Allen Leech studied drama and theater at Trinity College Dublin. He is probably most recognizable to American audiences for his role in the television series Rome. This is not the first time Leech has worked with Downton Abbey writer Jullian Fellowes. Leech appeared in the 2009 film From Time to Time that also starred Maggie Smith and Hugh Bonneville.

Funding for MASTERPIECE is provided by Viking River Cruises and Farmers Insurance® with additional support from public television viewers and contributors to The Masterpiece Trust , created to help ensure the series' future. PBS is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization.

Question: In Downton Abbey, who plays the Earl of Grantham?
Answer: Hugh Bonneville